Holy Power

thejeff · #1 June 19th, 2006, 12:46 PM

It would make sense that a priest would need to consecrate the temple before it functions a temple.

Labs as well. They're not just libraries. Items and gems can be transported between them. Mages can only cast ritual spells there. There's obviously something magic going on there. So it makes sense to need a mage to supervise and do the magical part of construction.

Essentially both buildings have supernatural effects and need someone with the right type of supernatural abilities to create.

Nerfix · #2 June 19th, 2006, 01:10 PM

Quote:

thejeff said:It would make sense that a priest would need to consecrate the temple before it functions a temple.

Makes sense, but then again I believe many religions on earth would believe that something built directly by their god is sacred.

EDIT: What the hex am I trying to say?

thejeff · #3 June 19th, 2006, 01:25 PM

Agreed. Allowing the pretender to build temples would make sense.

How about temple and lab building spells to go with the fort building spells?

Resok · #4 June 19th, 2006, 06:57 PM

As far as the pretender building the temples... I suppose it would make sense. My take on possibly why they cannot is the symbolism of your followers being the ones who build and devote a temple to you as a pretender god.

Along those lines of thinking it makes sense that a pretender god cannot build temples. After all a god that noone believes in building a temple won't make people believe in him. However if a loyal follower of the same pretender god builds it, it's a sign of his devotion and faith in his pretender god. Something built by 'god' may be sacred... but gods do not build temples, their followers build them to honor the god. 'Gods' do not build a temple to try to sway the people to believe in him... a god's existance and strength, and the fervor and devotion of his followers.

These are of course just theories about what the developers might be thinking based on the blurbs of backstory and mechanics in Dominions 2.

Resok

NTJedi · #5 June 19th, 2006, 09:44 PM

Here's my idea:

It would be interesting if the pretender could build temples and that these temples would be more powerful... called great temples. Also it should be where only 3 of these great temples can exist at one time on the map. If the pretender trys to build a fourth temple the oldest great temple is destroyed.

Ubercat · #6 August 22nd, 2006, 11:34 PM

Quote:

NTJedi said:
Here's my idea:

It would be interesting if the pretender could build temples and that these temples would be more powerful... called great temples. Also it should be where only 3 of these great temples can exist at one time on the map. If the pretender trys to build a fourth temple the oldest great temple is destroyed.

My first post here.

You could also base the temples level on the priests level, although this would penalise nations with lesser priests. Perhaps the pretender could somehow empower a priest temporarily at a gem cost to build temples greater than their level, or the prophet can build greater temples.

As for the earlier OT religion posts I would like to mention a website called Internet Infidels where all manner of religious, philosophical, moral/ethical and scientific debates abound. It's my favorite website and I'm Ubercat there as well. Most of the members are healthily skeptical, but it's debating the fundamentalists which is the most fun. The URL is iidb.org. If it's against the rules here to plug other websites, then I apologise.

-Ubercat

Amos · #7 June 19th, 2006, 09:56 PM

Follower thats stronger than his/her god, is a problematic proposition in itself, because no god will suffer such subjects (and we have many of those in Dominion). But follower thats more holy than his god is just nonsensical.
The priests dont build temples. They make other people build them. 'Build Temple' is just a command a priest gives people. Along the same lines, god doesnt build its temple but can command others to build it. Gods tell people what to do. Thats their function.

Tharivol_Street_Prince · #8 June 20th, 2006, 01:16 AM

You forget, these aren't real gods. Maybe their seeking immortality and godhead leaves them spiritually barren. You can't believe you are the one and only true god if you know that you have to fight your way to get there.
Ultimately the Pretender Gods are not enviable beings. They don't have the luxury of faith, they must wage war and commit atrocities and lie and mislead people. And the seeking of godhead itself shows how greedy and selfish they are, or how arrogant they are.

Saber Cherry · #9 June 20th, 2006, 03:26 AM

I'd love to see an "Evil Pope" or "Traitorous Bishop" pretender, who kills his God but retains his followers. Perhaps he could secretly banish a Ghost King, but claim to be possessed. That way, he'd retain his holy levels...

Amos · #10 June 20th, 2006, 05:59 AM

Quote:

...You can't believe you are the one and only true god if you know that you have to fight your way to get there.
Ultimately the Pretender Gods are not enviable beings. They don't have the luxury of faith, they must wage war and commit atrocities and lie and mislead people. And the seeking of godhead itself shows how greedy and selfish they are, or how arrogant they are.

You just described The Old Testament God (read the first commandment)

. If the people think they are gods and can work miracles in their name then they are real gods. Or else how do you know that a god is the real god? Monotheistic Gods destroy all opposition, while polytheistic gods fight but coexist. In case of Dominions they are clearly monotheistic gods, so they most certainly see themselves as one true God.